NEW: Providence Interim Schools Superintendent Named

The Providence School Board unanimously voted on June 1 to appoint Christopher Maher as Interim Superintendent of Providence Schools after the Board and Mayor Jorge Elorza collaborated on a search for the position. Maher will replace outgoing superintendent Dr. Susan Lusi.

Maher most recently spent time with Mass Insight Education, a public education consultancy firm that has worked with Providence schools in the past. He was the firm’s vice president from 2012 to 2014.

About Maher

"Chris is a proven leader who shares my vision for raising academic achievement, engaging our community and creating a school department that serves our students and families effectively,” Elorza said. "I am confident he will provide the leadership and experience we need to begin plans for restructuring central administration and helping the district move towards school-based autonomy.”

Maher has a Graduate Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University, as well as a Masters of Pubic Administration degree from New York University. His bachelors degree is from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.

He will hold the position for one year while the Board searches for a permanent appointee, for which Maher will be eligible. The plan to begin that search process is set to be announced in the coming weeks.

2014 performance at a glance

#41 E-Cubed Academy

2013 Rank: #42

Enrollment: 360

Claim to Fame: A structure based on the Diploma Plus Model fosters positive relationships between parents, students, teachers, and administrators and creates powerful learning experiences that will motivate students to grow and succeed.

2014 performance at a glance

#40 Tolman High School

2013 Rank: #40

Enrollment: 1,050

Mascot: Tigers

Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Peter Kilmartin (Rhode Island state representative and current attorney general), Kevin Lima (Disney animator and film director of the films A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, 102 Dalmatians, Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise at Christmastime, and Enchanted), and Abraham Nathanson (developer of the game Bananagrams).

2014 performance at a glance

#38 Times 2 Academy

2013 Rank: #37

Enrollment: 652

Claim to Fame: Times 2 Academy constantly exposes its students to guest speakers, internship opportunities, college fairs and job shadowing opportunities to encourage their students to embrace their futures.

2013 performance at a glance

#34 Central Falls HS

2013 Rank: #41

Enrollment: 838

Mascot: Warriors

Claim to Fame: Central Fall’s Chess Team has experienced incredible success and finished in the top 10 at a national tournament that had over 5,000 competitors, as well as receiving funding from star powerhouses such as Alec Baldwin’s Foundation.

2013 performance at a glance

#30 The Met School

2013 Rank: #34

Enrollment: 868

Claim to Fame: The school offers a Entrepreneur 360 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a 60-hour program for students supported by NFTE. Students learn about the concepts and the skills necessary to create a business, sharpen their work ethic and help grow their confidence.

2013 performance at a glance

#28 Cranston HS West

2013 Rank: #30

Enrollment: 1,629

Mascot: Falcons

Claim to Fame: Famous alumni include Mark van Eeghen (former NFL Pro Bowl running back and the only person ever from Cranston West to have their number retired in any sport), Anthony Meo (baseball player), Jeff Diehl (baseball player), Tom Denucci (actor), Amber van Eeghen (former cheerleader for the New England Patriots).

2013 performance at a glance

#27 West Warwick HS

2013 Rank: #26

Enrollment: 982

Mascot: Wizards

Claim to Fame: The school sports a School Improvement Team that brings staff, students, community members, and parents together once a month to have their voices heard concerning how the school can be tailored for success.

2013 performance at a glance

#22 Davies Career & Tech

William M. Davies Career and Technical High School

2013 Rank: #29

Enrollment: 833

Mascot: Patriots

Claim to Fame: Davies ensures that Parents are heavily involved in the curriculum through the Parent Involvement Policy, which is a program supporting the development, implementation, and regular evaluation that includes parents in all grade levels.

2013 performance at a glance

#21 Ponaganset HS

2013 Rank: #17

Enrollment: 722

Mascot: Chieftains

Claim to Fame: The school is heated entirely by recycled wood chips in order to preserve the environment. The school also sports an Energy Lab that enables students to develop career pathways in stem agriculture. Their colors are green, and so is their mindset.

2013 performance at a glance

#18 Toll Gate HS

2013 Rank: #19

Enrollment: 982

Mascot: Titans

Claim to Fame: Janice Anderson (Assistant Production Manager of Cirque de Soleil), Tom Cavanagh (Forward, Worcester Sharks), Sara DeCosta (Goalie, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team),Tony Petrarca (Chief Meteorologist, WPRI-TV), Brian Shanley (President of Providence College), David Petrarca (Director whose work has included Big Love, True Blood, and Hung for HBO; over 40 world premieres including Marvin’s Room on Broadway and West End, Fuddy Meers in NYC, and A Year With Frog and Toad on Broadway).

2013 performance at a glance

#13 Smithfield HS

2013 Rank: #16

Enrollment: 772

Mascot: Sentinels

Claim to Fame: Students have the opportunity to work in The Confucius Classroom, a public educational institute established in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Bryant University under the sponsorship of Hanban. The classroom is dedicated to developing globally competent students through an understanding Chinese culture, language, and economic trends.

2013 performance at a glance

#8 Middletown HS

2013 Rank: #8

Enrollment: 737

Mascot: Islanders

Claim to Fame: Middletown High School has enacted a specific Professional Learning Community in 2013, a program geared to make fundamental shift from focusing on teaching to an area of learning where students and teachers collaborate.